PARAMETRIC STUDY OF A PLASTIC WASTE PYROLYZER USING THE TAGUCHI METHOD

Waste recovering

This study aims to parameterize a prototype pyrolyzer for the treatment of plastic waste, in order to optimize its yield. The experimental set-up is based on a batch reactor operating in slow pyrolysis. The tests were carried out according to a Taguchi L8 design of experiments, evaluating three key parameters: the type of plastic, the filling rate of the reactor and the type of fuel used. Analysis of the results, performed with Minitab software, revealed that high-density polyethylene (HDPE) offers a notable gross yield of 79.60%, with a fill rate of 35% and the use of cardboard as fuel. Regarding the pyrolysis oils produced, several properties were compared to conventional fuels: water content, viscosity, flash point and lower calorific value. It was found that oil made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has characteristics close to diesel, with a usable energy efficiency of 57.11%. However, its high viscosity requires additional refining before any practical use. Despite these limitations, the results highlight the promising potential of pyrolysis as a sustainable solution for plastic waste management and reducing dependence on fossil fuels in Madagascar.

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